James you really are a bloody Genius! The original was pretty good but to revise it to this version... Is there anything you haven't thought of? As for your reluctance to market your efforts - PLEASE DON'T deprive us of the chance to share in your "ingenuity" - we can easily ignore your gadgets should we choose to, but do at least give us the opportunity to make that choice... Please keep creating!

Superb! Yes two micro switches are definitely useful, many of the better point servo systems like the tortoise and the MP5 have two sets of contacts. One is for switching the frog, the other is for signalling back to a layout controller that the point has changed. In some cases, the latter might be used to interlock signals. Yes it’s possible with relays, but the big advantage of something like this is convenience, so having a second set of contacts as an options, avoiding the relay, would be really helpful. Hope that helps.

Very neat final solution, next bit is a fitting jig, that is placed on the track and allows you to drill the locating holes for the motor assembly. Making it very simple to install the motor assembly on centre and perpendicular to the track.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, great idea. That's already designed and will come in the form of a printed template taken from the CAD. Thanks for your feedback. Best wishes, James

I really enjoy making my own turnouts and have used a ton of actuation ideas, but your system is the best idea I've seen yet. Bloody clever, well done James.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Peter for your vote of confidence. Best wishes, James

What an absolutely beautiful bit of engineering work. I do love seeing people apply modern technology to improving model railway accuracy. Your philosophy on how the model should appear and operate is highly admirable and something i'm very keen to apply to my own layout as it develops.

@BexhillWest

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, that is kind of you to say. I’ve been supplying these to others and feedback thus far has been very positive. Thanks for watching, James

Brilliant James! Fabulous design! I like the fact that they are so compact and above all quiet! Thanks from sharing, definitely food for thought!👏👏👏

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your thoughts, Keith. I'm glad you like them. All the best for now, James

I’m impressed. Well done.

Wonderful improvement! I really like the fact that you don't just stop at what you've made for Bexhill West and that you're more than willing to develop ideas suggested by others.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you David. I am always trying to refine and improve my own ideas and always grateful when others share theirs and a design can be improved. Best wishes, James

Excellent again James, I love your thought process and well done in taking on the comments. Also, so what if you end up selling your products, they're going to improve the hobby no end so well done you 👏🏻

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your support, Paul. It is much appreciated. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James

Very clever idea. Keep the ideas you produce for sale here. It’s all part of the journey. Cheers

G'Day James. Two words for you matey......Bloody Brillant!. As to the amount of switched poles on the micro switch....man up guys and fit a relay that gets switched via the micro switch, you can get far more switched contacts that way. (Hmm, I wonder how many times I can fit the word "switch" into one sentence) lol

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

You sound switched-on Gibs! Thanks for watching, James

Great improvement on v1 AND in such a short time since its launch in last week's video! The movement is very authentic. Well done!

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you David. Hope you're getting on well with your ballast vacuum. Best wishes, James

great stuff James..love the thought process.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Paul. Glad you like it. James

A great revision there James, It certainly solved all the issues and I shall be certainly placing an order for a few to try. Cheers, Michael

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Michael. They should be available soon. I'll keep you posted. All the best for now, James

Great improvement, you may have more of a market for this product than you realise, especially if cheaper than tortoise shell point motor's, how many of us have cringed at the cost of those when looking at box !

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Edward. The plan is to make these an affordable product. Thanks for watching, James

Very neat revision, love the cable management for the microswitch.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Malcolm. I thought it was a worthwhile extra feature. Thanks for watching, James

Hello James, the work you have done to condense the footprint of the servo mechanism is brilliant. Plus the idea of adding a microswitch bracket may even benefit you later on. I've tried contacting you through your purchase site although I know your very busy at present with commitments. Keep up the superb work! Chris White

That is a lovely design James. Very salable mate

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Daz. Will be in touch soon. All the best for now, James

You are the very model of an eccentric Englishman ;) Seriously, great achievement. I'd like to use these on any layout I build going forward.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I always appreciate your way with words and thank you for the kind feedback. All the best for now, James

Hi James. I think you have cracked it. I congratulate you on a good, very well presented design. This has been an issue for years on a neat little set up to operate points. I will have 6 please. One small alteration that might be worth thinking about. As you are planning on selling them publically, most may be retro fitted, working on the underside of a baseboard perhaps two of the fixing holes could be slotted just to give some sideways movement for adjustment. Obviously there is some adjustment on the servo but for some it could be difficult working above your head, drilling Four accurately measured holes, the other two holes could be drilled after testing to lock it into place. (Micro switches) Some of us are old school and try not to make things more complicated than they need to be, hence the reason for a micro switch to control frog polarity or possibly mimic board, signal relays etc. Thanks again for the video, a neat design. Colin.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

That's great Colin and thanks for your positive feedback. I totally agree with the slotted hole principle, although the engineer in me thinks there should be one additional fixed screw location to act something like a dowel pin is used between castings to stop them shifting. I got your email thank you and will reply when I finish the comments here. Many thanks for watching. All the best for now, James

Hi James i am sitting watching your video I am astonishing how you aren’t snapped up buy Hornby or bachmann your gadgets are awesome well done mate 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Adam. I'd love to be snapped up! Thanks for your kind feedback. Best wishes, James

That's rather good.

Reason for switches:- Frog polarity, mimic indication, signal change or block change for route, so potentially up to 3 required! (else the one needs to feed multipole relays)

@jeffsymons4535

2 жыл бұрын

For more switching, use the microswitch to control a relay. Simples.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Tim. This is consistently coming through the comments so I'll definitely add a second switch. Thanks for your feedback, James

@RoamingAdhocrat

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest If you'd like to be really fancy - have separate microswitches to confirm the point is locked in each direction!

Very elegant design. I can see scope for either adding a gear chain to the servo cam or extending the bar itself to drive a ground frame or shunt signal.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, I've given that some thought and will share my ideas in a future video when I've settled upon them. Thank you so much for your feedback. I hope you enjoyed the video. Best wishes, James

Thank you James Just by mirroring the micro switch mount gives that flexibility for a second one. Looks a radical design change from the first video & glad to see the future sales potential is being made available..

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Peter. I'd had the same thoughts. Thanks for watching, James

Brilliant design refinement James! I'm quite interested in the eventual point connection and stretcher bars (head and back switch rods in North America parlance). An option for a second microswitch would be useful in some applications -- one for frog polarity and the other for switch position indication.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeffrey, I will detail that aspect in detail in an upcoming video. Now I have the mechanism sorted I can refine this particular aspect. This week I will add a second switch to the unit, plus another couple of 'extras' which have come to mind. Thanks for watching, James

Lovely design and thanks for sharing your design process. Dual microswitches are useful for turnout position feedback and frog polarity.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I'm getting that from these comments. I'll add a second switch. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James

@LittleWicketRailway

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest am I right in assuming that the distance on the side to side motion is designed to match the distance required for peco points? How much tolerance is built into the motion range? If the servo over rotates by a degree or two will the blade come away from the rail? Could you design a tool to accompany these that allows for perfect installation every time? Appreciate that the double prong will ensure correct alignment under the baseboard, but for the single prong peco points aligning the motion of the servo with the tie bar can be tricky.

It's a thing of beauty. I now have to build another layout😀

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Malcolm, not sure the idea warrants you taking on a new project though! :) Take care, James

Switch -> polarity changing at exactly the same time as the blades (if turnout and current change with different delay you may get a short, which normally your controller deals with). Secound switch -> return signal, LED on the controllpanel showing set route for example. 10:13 look´s like people could soon order 🤔 Could connect the frogpolarisation via the two brass pins 🤔 or you see a problem with that? Loose contact maybe. Nothing wrong with products coming out of the hobby for the hobby! You do not need to deal with two canals as it is - saves time.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for the feedback. This all makes perfect sense. I've just read your email which had gone to my junk folder, really very interesting indeed and I'll reply later when I've finished these comments. Till next time. All the best, James

I would be interested in buying several of the point motor mounting kits from you, or even just the stl files to print them myself. I hope you will be making them available on your "Make it Miniature" website...oh and I want one of the cranes too Keep up the excellent work James.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Dave. I will be making these available and I'll give some more details in my nest video out on 19/2/22. Thank you so much for watching, there's a contact form on the make it miniature website - do please use it if you'd like more details. All the best, James

Great innovation. Always thinking outside of the box. One observation that may or may not be of interest/concern: Should a train run through the points in reverse it will not be able to deflect the blades as is often the case with sprung points. I doubt this is an issue as usually when/if this occurs the train would be stopped and the situation reviewed. Just thought I'd mention it though in case it is an issue for you. All the best James and keep up your inspiring work.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, thanks for your food for thought. I shall put my thinking cap on. Thanks for watching and taking the time to send me feedback. Best wishes, James

@bazza3643

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, I also model in P4 18.83mm gauge. On entering my staging sidings the turnouts are operated by the wire in tube turnout operating units, but when exiting the sidings in a trailing direction, I have made it possible for all rolling stock to move the turnout blades over to the stock rails without the use of an operating unit. All that is required is a switch to change the polarity of the crossing V's.

This wonderful stuff. Nice work. You mentioned potential use for signal operation. Do you have any plans to produce a mechanism for signals? Thanks, Bob

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Bob, Thank you for your kind comment. Yes, I do have a version for signal control, together with an improved version of the unit in this video which I think is far superior. All of which will be in my next video which should be out at the weekend. Thank you for your interest. James

A very nice design James ,Mechanically my only concern is the potential issue of the plastics becoming worn and sloppy , Is the main body of the unit and the cam printed out of hard wearing plastic and maybe use shoulder screws with a plain diameter to slide in the slots as apposed to the actual thread itself . Regards David

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more, David. I didn't have any M3 shoulder screws, but they certainly would be better. As for the plastics, I am confident that wear will not be a problem. I forgot to mention that I used a little PTFE grease - just a smear between the parts - not sure that it made any difference, time will tell. Thanks for watching, James

The only reason that I could think of for second microswicht would be a signal.

James. What agreat design. I will certainly be ordering some. How about something equally innovative for semaphore signals. Pete

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Pete, thanks for your kind feedback. I am working on the semaphores in parallel with this, you might recall seeing my signal lamps a couple of episodes back. Can't wait to share what I've come up with. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James

One of the best servo point mounts I have seen. Would you be willing to sell just the STL files for people who like to 3d print but are not as skilled as you in cad design. waiting for the next new device that you will come up. I already have the ballast hoover.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan, I am reluctant to and here's why: I've done a lot of experimenting with the CAD to optimise the job for my printer and preferred settings. The tolerance on the servo splines being such that with different resins, settings and machines etc., the outcomes could be variable and this might lead to frustration. I hope that makes sense. Thanks for watching. Best wishes, James

Another reason for a second Switch, in JMRI (probably other setups as well) you can use a second switch to confirm that the turnout is in the second position rather than the option that logically goes if switch A is active then turnout is in position 1, if inactive it must be in position 2, this is better for slow moving turnouts where there is a short delay between the two positions

@kenr86

2 жыл бұрын

Beat me to it, David. A second switch for 'feedback' would be a good addition

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi David, that all makes perfect sense. I shall add a second switch. Thanks for watching, James

@hughjardon5101

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest IMHO a better location for a second microswitch would be alongside the existing one. This would not make the whole unit wider (accross the track) which may cause interference with a second wide 'point motor' on an adjacent track.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

@@hughjardon5101 I completely agree. I’m moving forward with both options, which could allow for 1, 2, 3 or 4 switches is required. Although I cannot think of why so many might be needed. Thanks for your input.

As I said previously, brilliant. But now extra brilliant..! How about a choice of moving parts P4/OO or EM/OO. And by the way, the innovation on the micro switch will save me a small fortune on ESU switch pilot extensions..! When is it on sale? I need 8 now for my multi gauge test track....!!!!

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I shall adapt the follower plate to cater for EM also. These should show as available on the store site later this week, although probably not ready for dispatch until the following week as I will need to order in some packaging materials. Thanks for watching, James

@patrickhunt8644

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest Any news on the servo turnouts?

Hello James, I have just discovered your channel. What a brilliant idea for operating model railway turnouts. I have been building a model of Barnham junction station in 18.833 mm gauge for a few years now. Due to the absence in my opinion of a well designed, simple to operate, turnout operating unit, all of my (22) turnouts are operated by my own design of wire in tube turnout operation using K&S brass tube and steel piano wire. I still have a few turnouts that are some distance from my operating area to connect up, so if you ever decide to market your 3D TOU's, count me in. One final note, will your TOU's work with the Peco system of servos and controls ?

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

HI Bazza, I was looking at an old map of Barnham just the other day and thought it'd make a nice model layout. These units have had a minor redesign since this video and are now really smooth and I'm very pleased with them. My next video out mid-Feb will showcase the range which I intend to offer with and without microswitches. I have just looked up the Peco units and read the manual and feel confident that these would be compatible with their system, but wonder whether the Megapoints system might be a more cost effective and versatile way to go. Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for the update on these. My best wishes, James

@bazza3643

2 жыл бұрын

Hi James, modelling Barnham Junction has been very enjoyable but has been a bit of a challenge living in New Zealand, and working only from a BR Southern Region station layout plan that I managed to purchase from someone in Waterloo station and photos that I have down loaded from the Internet, thank goodness for the wealth of information on the internet. Yes you are right, the MegaPoints system of servo controllers appear to be the most cost effective option for me and the easiest to operate, thank you James

That is an impressive design.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

And you are an impressive viewer! : ) Thanks for watching, James

looks very good James how would you deal with a point over one go the board support timbers?

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Good question, Brian. That's got me thinking - not sure how to answer that right now so I'll have a think about it during the week and answer it in my next video. Thanks for the great question. Best wishes, James

@bazza3643

2 жыл бұрын

I had a similar problem, you could use an angle crank or short wire in tube between the turnout and TOU. One of my turnouts has a square plastic rod attached to the turnout blades with brass rods, operating in a square K&S brass tube located between a pair of sleepers, which in turn is attached to the piano wire running through brass tube which burrows down through the base board to the operating switch some 100 mm below the top of my baseboard and clear of obstructions.

That's a neat implementation. As soon as I saw the original design, I thought that a yoke design would save a pivot, and that's what you did. I haven't read all the comments so have one question. Will you make a range of cams with different throws within the same yoke, to cater for different blade gaps, or does the cam overthrow the points, with the operating wire taking up the extra movement? Thanks , Dave

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave, Originally it was my plan to have different eccentrics, but when I saw how simple it was to control electronically there is no need. My next video will show an installation, and how the throw can be adjusted without the need for a springy operating wire. Thanks for watching, James

Great revision! I am intetested in buying some possibly but I've always been put lff with Servos as I don't know how to program them and don't really want to. Been using Smails n Tortoices as it's all complete, slow action with polarity switches but they cost the earth. What you think? I've got a LOT of extra turnouts to do still.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I know what you mean, I'm trying to make them affordable. You've got me thinking about a PCB I designed some years ago which would operate this with simple rotary controls to limit the travel at each end of the stroke. I will dig out my files and I could potentially etch these as a super affordable control system that could easily be soldered by someone of your skills. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for watching, James

@sparkshot

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest Thanks James. What concerns me most is servos. I know they're simple but no idea how to program them. Is it possible they can be supplied ore-programmed? Truthfully I have no idea here. Can solder fine ya. 😋

Hi! What is the size and geomtry of turnouts you are going to use? I mean informations like radius, frog angle and the designation B6, B7 or B8...

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jan, There is a mixture across the entire layout plan, but the mainline is mostly B8's with a 1:8 crossing angle. Radius of the turnout will typically be around 1850mm (approx 6'), with the tightest radius on the main line being around 10000mm or nearly 33'. It is being scaled directly from maps. This is a general simplification, I can give precise details in a video if folks are interested. My best wishes, James

I am very curious about the drawing that appears in the background around 3:15. It shows "slide chairs", "block slide chairs", and what appears to be "back slide chairs". Will you be modeling this level of detail?

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

HI John, Yes, I have been using the correct chairs from the Exactoscale range for my hand-built turnouts. The slide chairs are commonly called 'P' types, the block slide chairs are '1&2PLA' and the back heel chairs '3&4PLA'. Additionally, there are 'C1' distance blocks which are used to support the switch rails on 2 of the five pairs of 'P' type slide chairs. Apologies for the confusing detail, it took me some time to become familiar with it all. Thanks for watching, James

lovely work, great design, great videos, but that clock is really annoying.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks and I'll make sure I stop all the clocks next time! : )

Not sure I see the benefit of using a servo instead of a simple lower current geared stall motor. I know it's fashionable to always use the latest tech, but having to add external control and alignment/pressure setting electronics in order to talk to the unneeded added control electronics of the servo strikes me as a double redundancy. Also I'm not sure what happened to the previous E10 method of connecting to the throw bar for non commercial turnouts?

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I think there is room for a variety of solutions to controlling turnouts. If I had the luxury of building a permanent installation then I think I'd prefer the challenge of a purely mechanical system. As for non-commercial turnouts, my next video out on 19/2/22 will show one option using this mechanism. Thanks for watching, James

Why you not use the ESU Servo Pilot?

@patrickhunt8644

2 жыл бұрын

I use them already, they are excellent, especially V3. But James innovation means I no longer need to buy switch pilot extensions for frog polarity changes. Significant cost saving there on a planned large layout.

Please make these available commercially.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Will do, Jeff! Hope to have them available in the next week or so. Thanks for watching, James

Don't hide your light under a bushel James. If you feel it's a good topic, talk it, and if it leads to a markrting opportunity, good on you.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you David. I started with the ballast vacuum simply because I wanted to share a good idea. Its success has taken me by surprise and I'm intrigued to explore other creative possibilities. Thanks for watching, James